SUNDERLAND Harrier Michelle Holt maintained her unbeaten run in the Foundation of Light Lambton Run 10K, notching up her third consecutive victory yesterday.

The 29-year-old teacher, a prolific racer who won the Alnwick Trail Runner 10K the previous weekend, clocked 40 mins 35 secs on the new course in the picturesque Lambton Park, near Chester-le-Street, beating Durham City Harrier Kim Simpson by over two minutes.

A delighted Avery said: "This is a harder, hillier course than last year's and I'm pleased to have won three races in a row - it doesn't happen very often."

Another Wearside runner, Sunderland Stroller Liam Taylor, returned to competitive action after two years of injury problems to win the men's race in 34 mins 44 secs, beating Heaton Harrier Patrick Duffy by 2 mins 5 secs. Jordan Bell, 17-year-old son of former Great Britain international Stewy Belly, was fourth in 38 minutes exactly.

Results - Men: 1 L Taylor (Sunderland Strollers) 34 mins 44 secs; 2 P Duffy (Heaton) 36.49; 3 S Potts (Sunderland) 37.31; 4 J Bell (Blackhill Bounders) 38.00; 5 A Henderson (Blyth) 38.07; 6 A Hopkins (Unatt) 38.18; 7 S Gordon (Sun) 38.48; 8 P Bainbridge (South Shields) 38.52; 9 S Beckett (Crook) 38.56; 10 C Carruthers (Birtley) 39.07.

Women: 1 M Avery (Sunderland) 40.35; 2 K Simpson (Durham City) 43.03; 3 K Whamy (Unatt) 44.14; 4 E Thompson-McCrae (Gateshead) 44.32; 5 C Diamond-Howe (Low Fell) 45.25.